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Hornbills of South Africa

10,000 Birds

It is a relatively small hornbill, and not very shy – some photos below were taken on the campgrounds of Kruger Park, which more or less seem to be the species’ natural habitat by now. Also, it is the largest species of hornbill worldwide and frankly, it still is a bit miffed that it is not called Giant Hornbill.

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Nesting Oriental Pied Hornbills in Singapore

10,000 Birds

Not only did we observe the bird species most days, but we also had the privilege of observing them at a nest. Oriental Pied Hornbills are quite strange in their nesting habits, because the female bird is sealed into a tree trunk during the incubation of the eggs.

Singapore 113
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Heermann’s Gull: Near Threatened

10,000 Birds

The magnificent view from the Cliff House includes the Seal Rocks just offshore. Isla Rasa was declared a sanctuary in 1964, and egg-collecting and disturbance during the breeding season are discouraged. With the breeding colony concentrated on one small island this species is vulnerable to a catastrophic weather event.

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Lest we Forget – BP Oil Spill 2010

10,000 Birds

Oil begins to wash up on the beaches throughout May and June of 2010 May 6, 2010 Oil washes ashore on the Chandeleur Islands off the Louisiana coast, an important nesting and breeding area for many bird species. The babies that hatched from these eggs were released on Florida’s east coast.

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Journeys With Emperors: Tracking the World’s Most Extreme Penguin–A Book Review

10,000 Birds

Kooyman (co-author with Jim Mastro) spent decades studying Emperor Penguins and can be considered the world’s foremost expert on the species. Empire Penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) are the largest living penguin species, almost four feet tall (taller when they stretch), and the least likely to be seen on birding or nature trips.

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Why Do Penguins Wear Tuxedos?

10,000 Birds

Artists rendition of Inkayacu paracasensis There are 17 living species of penguins, which make up their own Linnean family (Spheniscidae), which is the only family in the order Sphenisciformes. Penguins are flightless, but some species locomote over long distances on antarctic ice to travel between breeding grounds and the sea.

Penguins 188
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Frogs and Toads of the World: A Book Review by a Fairy Tale Junkie

10,000 Birds

Or, Pygmy leaf-folding frogs, Afrixalus brachycnemis, from Tanzania, tiny climbing frogs who lay their eggs in leaves and then fold the leaves over them for protection, sealing the nest with secretions. A book about all the frogs and toads of the world is an ambitious undertaking. This is not a field guide.

Reptiles 182